How the UK recycles millions of dirty old disposable coffee cups

Data reveals UK rail systems just as good as global equivalents

The UK's rail network has a poor reputation: overpriced, unreliable and prone to accidents.

The data, however, tells us a more positive story. It's not only one of the biggest railway networks in the world in terms of length per capita, but also offers decent value for money -- £1 per 15km, according to London-based data journalist and designer David McCandless. "We hear a lot about our 'terrible' railways," says McCandless. "We also hear that India has a vast, incredible railway system, Germany a very efficient one and so on. I wanted to see if I could settle the debate once and for all."

His visualisation brings to light other revealing facts: the US has the most railway track per capita, but has invested among the least; in India, railway users pay £1 per 94km; and the Germans make the highest number of journeys per passenger at 29. The data visualisation is part of McCandless's new book, Knowledge is Beautiful, published by William Collins on October 9. "I'm trying to explore the difference between information and knowledge," says McCandless. "We seem to have a lot of one and perhaps less of the other."

This article was first published in the November 2014 issue of WIRED magazine